Tube And Chamber Heat Exchanger With A Medium Directing Member Having Heat Exchange Medium Positional Static Throttling Means

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger having an inlet tube, a chamber section, an outlet tube, and a medium directing member assembly disposed within the chamber section. The medium directing member assembly comprise an inlet channel member and an outlet channel member, with a medium directing distribution panel longitudinally disposed in between. The medium directing distribution panel is provided with an inlet face, set at an angle with respect to the inlet channel member, and an outlet face set at an angle with respect to the outlet channel member. Two independent sets of a pair of semi-circular symmetrical heat exchange medium flow pattern is established, with the first pair flowing peripheral to the inlet channel member, while the second pair flowing peripheral to the outlet channel member. The medium directing distribution panel is provided with two lateral and two vertical adjustment panels, permitting heat exchange medium throttling means within the chamber section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional heat exchanger comprises a generally straight tubularsection having a generally smooth exterior surface with a secondaryextended surface comprising generally of fin structures coupled to theexterior surface of the tubular section. The tubular section may beround or rectangular in shape. The conventional heat exchanger maycomprise a singular tubular section or a plurality of tubular sections.The fin structures may be smooth, or may feature surface enhancements,such as louvers or dimples, for example. The conventional heat exchangerdesign, generally called compact heat exchangers, package as muchsurface area in a given space, without necessarily concerned withextracting as much performance out of a given surface area. Due to thisdesign methodology, performance yield out of any given surface area isgenerally limited. However, the design compensates for low performanceover a given surface area by packaging as much surface area in a givenspace. For example, wherein the primary surface area comprising agenerally tubular structure transporting heat exchange medium withinwith the highest heat transfer performance may be limited, far moresignificant amount of secondary surface area may be obtained byattaching extended surfaces on the primary surface in the form of fins.This design significantly increases the amount of surface area availableto facilitate heat transfer, in a magnitude of a few times over theprimary surface area, such as 2 times or more, for example. In such anarrangement, the primary surface area generally performs at the highestrate of heat transfer efficiency, while the extended surface areaperforms at a diminished capacity. Therefore, when considered as apackage, the heat exchanger of such a design mythology suffers fromrather modest heat transfer performance, indicated by a low overall heattransfer coefficient, for example. Addition of fin structures mayrequire the heat exchanger to be physically larger as a package or weighmore due to the addition of fin material. The parts count maysignificantly increase due to the addition of fin structures,complicating the manufacturing procedure, thus by extension, generallymaking the manufacturing process costly and complicated. Fin structuresgenerally need to be fabricated out of an extremely thin material tofunction at an optimal performance level, making the structure prone todamage. Furthermore, applying significant amount of fin material toincrease the heat transfer surface may in turn negatively impact flow ofthe heat transfer medium through such an arrangement, increasing thepressure drop of the heat exchange medium flow, further hampering theoverall performance of the conventional heat exchanger.

A tube and chamber type heat exchanger with a medium directing inserttakes a different approach to improving the heat transfer performance,by extracting as much performance out of any given surface area, whileeliminating as much surface area of a heat exchanger that may notextract high level of heat transfer. Secondary surfaces in the form offins are generally eliminated, while primary surface area extracting thehighest level of heat transfer is maximized. Additionally, the heattransfer performance of a primary surface of the tube and chamber heatexchanger is enhanced by utilizing a heat exchange medium transportingtechnique that induces swirling and mixing effect to the heat transfermedium flowing within the heat exchanger by means of a medium directinginsert, known in the art to enhance heat transfer efficiency, furtherenhancing the overall heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger.As a result, a heat exchanger of this kind performs at a very highefficiency level, indicated by a higher overall heat transfercoefficient throughout its available surface area, lending to a smallerheat exchanger package compared to a conventional heat exchanger designknown in the art. A smaller heat exchanger package lends itself tofurther benefits, such as lighter weight, less material usage, and lowercost. Reduced parts count as a result lends itself to an easiermanufacturing process. A typical tube and chamber heat exchanger ischaracterized by having a distinct tube section, a chamber section, anda medium directing insert disposed within the chamber section.

The present invention is an improved tube and chamber heat exchangerutilizing an enhanced medium directing insert design, especially suitedfor designs calling for a longitudinally extended chamber section. Itmay be a desirable feature to have the length of the chamber sectionextended, as the extended longitudinal length may afford greater amountof primary surface area for heat exchanging purposes without the need tocouple additional chamber section to a heat exchanger, generallyenhancing the heat transfer effectiveness of a heat exchanger withoutmuch cost increase. As the chamber section longitudinal length isstretched lengthwise, however, the means to evenly distribute the heatexchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger chamber sectionbecomes increasingly difficult, which may result in an inefficient useof the primary surface for heat transfer purposes. A medium directinginsert of an ordinary design may not effectively distribute the heatexchange medium flow within the chamber section, which may diminish thebenefit awarded by obtaining increased primary surface area for heattransfer purposes. The present invention improves the heat exchangemedium distributing means within the extended lengthwise chamber sectionby incorporating an enhanced medium directing insert design, having heatexchange medium distribution and throttling features, facilitatinglongitudinal, lateral, and vertical heat exchange medium flowcoordination and adjustment means to the desired effect, providing meansto fully utilize the increased primary surface area afforded byextending the chamber section, improving the overall heat exchangeefficiency of the heat exchanger. The present invention accomplishes theimproved heat transfer characteristics while minimizing the pressuredrop effect to the heat exchange medium flow, effect of which may bedetrimental to the heat exchanger performance, while providing thefeature in a simple yet effective design, accomplishing the desiredeffect utilizing easily manufacturable components, without detrimentallyaffecting the overall manufacturing cost or manufacturing complexity.

Improvements made to the medium directing insert design lends itself toimproved heat transfer characteristics within the chamber section, whichin turn offers opportunity to develop smaller heat exchanger assemblieswhile maintaining the same performance specifications. Smallerassemblies offer opportunities to save costs on raw materials, whichdirectly translates to lower assembly costs and other cost savings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heat exchanger illustratively comprises an inlet tube, a chambersection, an outlet tube, and a medium directing member assembly disposedwithin the chamber section. The inlet tube is coupled to the chambersection as means to introduce a heat exchange medium into the heatexchanger. The outlet tube is coupled to the chamber section as means todischarge the heat exchange medium out of the heat exchanger.

The medium directing member assembly comprises of an inlet channelmember, a medium directing distribution panel, and an outlet channelmember. The inlet channel member comprises an inlet bottom wall, aninlet first side wall, and an inlet second side wall. The respectivecomponents comprising the inlet channel member may be coupled together,forming a unitary unit. The respective components comprising the inletchannel member form a heat exchange medium flow channel, while generallyhaving the top vertical section open to the chamber section interior,permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The inletchannel member generally extends longitudinally within the chambersection, with a first free end of the inlet channel member coupled to achamber section anterior wall, while a second free end of the inletchannel member generally coupled to the medium directing distributionpanel. The inlet channel member is generally disposed within the chambersection, leaving a space between respective components comprising theinlet channel member and a chamber section lateral wall, permitting flowof the heat exchange medium therebetween.

The outlet channel member comprises an outlet top wall, an outlet firstside wall, and an outlet second side wall. The outlet top wall, theoutlet first side wall, and the outlet second side wall may be coupledtogether, forming a unitary unit. The bottom vertical side of the outletchannel member is generally open to the chamber section interior,permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The outletchannel member generally extends longitudinally within the chambersection, with a first free end of the outlet channel member coupled tothe medium directing distribution panel, while a second free end of theoutlet channel member generally coupled to a chamber section posteriorwall. The outlet channel member comprising of the outlet top wall, theoutlet first side wall, and the outlet second side wall form a channelwherein the heat exchange medium flow therethrough. The outlet channelmember is generally disposed within the chamber section, leaving a spacebetween respective components comprising the outlet channel member andthe chamber section lateral wall, permitting flow of the heat exchangemedium therebetween.

The orientation of the outlet channel member is generally in an inverserelationship to the positional orientation of the inlet channel member.Whereas the inlet channel member generally has the top vertical sectionopen to the interior of the chamber section, the outlet channel membergenerally has the bottom vertical section open to the interior of thechamber section.

Longitudinally disposed between the inlet channel member and the outletchannel member is the medium directing distribution panel. The mediumdirecting distribution panel features an inlet face and an outlet face,a front facing generally planar feature and a rearward facing generallyplanar feature, respectively. The inlet face is coupled to the secondfree end of the inlet channel member, while facing towards the inlettube. The inlet face features an angled face with respect to thelongitudinal axial characteristics established by the inlet channelmember. The outlet face is coupled to the first free end of the outletchannel member, while generally facing towards the outlet tube. Theoutlet face features an angled face with respect to the longitudinalaxial characteristics established by the outlet channel member.

The medium directing distribution panel features on its first and secondlateral sides, a first side face medium directing distribution panel anda second side face medium directing distribution panel, respectively.The first side face medium directing distribution panel and the secondside face medium directing distribution panel are extended surfacefeatures generally conforming to the interior shape of the chambersection lateral wall, while positioned spaced apart from the interiorsurface of the chamber section lateral wall to permit flow of the heatexchange medium therebetween. The space created between the first sideface medium directing distribution panel and the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall form a left quadrant distribution panelpassageway to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. Thespace created between the second side face medium directing distributionpanel and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall forma right quadrant distribution panel passageway to permit flow of theheat exchange medium therethrough.

The medium directing distribution panel on its top vertical section andits bottom vertical section features a top face medium directingdistribution panel and a bottom face medium directing distributionpanel, respectively. The top face medium directing distribution paneland the bottom face medium directing distribution panel are extendedsurface features with the shape generally conforming to the interiorshape of the chamber section lateral wall, while positioned spaced apartfrom the chamber section lateral wall to permit flow of the heatexchange medium therebetween. The space created between the top facemedium directing distribution panel and the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall form a top quadrant distribution panelpassageway to permit flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. Thespace created between the bottom face medium directing distributionpanel and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall forma bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway to permit flow of theheat exchange medium therethrough.

As the heat exchange medium is introduced from the inlet tube to thechamber section interior, the heat exchange medium generallysubstantially flow within the chamber section, flowing within the flowchannel established by the inlet channel member. The flow establishedwithin the inlet channel terminates as the heat exchange medium comes into contact with the inlet face of the medium directing distributionpanel, while the angled face of the inlet face generally causes aswirling and mixing effect to the heat exchange medium upon impact,which is known in the art to greatly enhance heat transfer efficiency.The inlet face of the medium directing distribution panel generallydirects the heat exchange medium flow towards a top quadrant anteriorportion of the chamber section, where the heat exchange medium flow isfurther diverted into generally three flow paths provided within the topquadrant anterior portion of the chamber section comprising a leftquadrant inlet channel member passageway, a right quadrant inlet channelmember passageway, and the top quadrant distribution panel passageway.

The left quadrant inlet channel member passageway is a heat exchangemedium flow path provided in a space laterally framed between thechamber section lateral wall and the inlet first side wall, while beinglongitudinally framed between the chamber section anterior wall and thefirst side face medium directing distribution panel. The right quadrantinlet channel member passageway is a heat exchange medium flow pathprovided in a space laterally framed between the chamber section lateralwall and the inlet second side wall, while being longitudinally framedbetween the chamber section anterior wall and the second side facemedium directing distribution panel. The top quadrant distribution panelpassageway facilitates a rearward flow of the heat exchange medium fromthe top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section.

The means to adjust the distribution of the heat exchange medium intorespective three flow paths are achieved by reducing or enlarging therespective passageway openings. The left quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway and the outlet quadrant inlet channel member passageway maybe generally set at similar geometric openings to achieve equaldistribution of the heat exchange medium flow. However, in otherembodiments of the present invention, one side can be enlarged orreduced to allow more flow or reduced flow, respectively.

The flow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inletchannel member passageway and the right quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway represent the flow of the heat exchange medium within theanterior portion of the chamber section, from the top quadrant anteriorchamber section to the bottom quadrant anterior chamber section. Theflow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inlet channelmember passageway and the right quadrant inlet channel member passagewayare two divergent lateral flow patterns, generally symmetrical to oneanother, flowing away from one another in a semi-circular manner withintheir respective passageways.

When the two semi-circular flows complete their flow through theirrespective flow space in the left quadrant and the right quadrant of thechamber anterior section, respective heat exchange medium flows aregenerally directed to flow into one another at the bottom quadrantanterior portion of the chamber section in a bottom quadrant inletchannel member passageway, causing further mixing and swirling effect tothe heat exchange medium, generally known to improve the heat transfereffectiveness of the heat exchange medium. The two semi-circular flowsare generally merged into one singular flow once in the bottom quadrantinlet channel member passageway.

The heat exchange medium flowing through the top quadrant distributionpanel passageway generally collects in a top quadrant posterior portionof the chamber section in a top quadrant outlet channel memberpassageway, as any further forward progress is impeded by the chambersection posterior wall. The heat exchange medium collected in the topquadrant outlet channel member passageway is further directed to flowthrough two heat exchange medium flow spaces, into a left quadrantoutlet channel member passageway and a right quadrant outlet channelmember passageway. The left quadrant outlet channel member passageway islaterally framed between the outlet first side wall and the proximatechamber section lateral wall to the outlet channel member, whilelongitudinally framed between the first side face medium directingdistribution panel and the chamber section posterior wall. The rightquadrant outlet channel member passageway is laterally framed betweenthe outlet second side wall and the proximate chamber section lateralwall to the outlet channel member, while being longitudinally framedbetween the second side face medium directing distribution panel and thechamber section posterior wall. The heat exchange medium flow throughthe left quadrant outlet channel member passageway and the rightquadrant outlet channel member passageway are two divergent lateral flowpatterns, generally symmetrical to one another, flowing in asemi-circular manner within the posterior portion of the chambersection. The two semi-circular flow paths generally flow away from oneanother, while generally vertically axially aligned to one another,flowing within the respective spaces provided between the outlet channelmember and the proximate chamber sectional lateral wall. Again, the heatexchange medium flow divergent from its initial established directionalflow characteristics is known in the art to enhance heat transfercharacteristics of the heat exchanger.

Once the two semi-circular heat exchange medium flows complete theirflow through their respective flow space in the left quadrant and theright quadrant of the chamber posterior section, the respective heatexchange medium flows are generally directed to flow into one another atthe bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section, causingfurther mixing and swirling effect to the heat exchange medium,generally known to improve the heat transfer effectiveness of the heatexchange medium. Once the two semi-circular heat exchange medium flowsmeet at the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section,the two semi-circular heat exchange medium flows are merged intogenerally one singular flow. The merged heat exchange medium flow isfurther generally directed to flow into the outlet channel memberpassageway.

The heat exchange medium flow diverted into three distinct flow paths inthe top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section fully mergeinto singular flow once again in the bottom quadrant posterior portionof the chamber section in the outlet channel member passageway, prior todischarge out of the chamber section. The flow of the combined heatexchange medium generally conform to the longitudinal axialcharacteristics of the outlet channel member, once the heat exchangemedium is directed in to the outlet channel member passageway.

Provided with the medium directing member assembly are means tocoordinate and regulate flow of the heat exchange medium to fully andeffectively utilize the surface area for heat transfer purposes providedby the chamber section, especially suited for chamber section having anextended longitudinal length for added heat transfer surface. The mediumdirecting distribution panel provides for means to havemulti-directional fluid passageways in the form of the top quadrantdistribution panel passageway, the bottom quadrant distribution panelpassageway, the left quadrant distribution panel passageway, and theright quadrant distribution panel passageway, along with fluidthrottling means provided by the two vertical and two lateral surfacesof the medium directing distribution panel, allowing for infiniteadjustment of the heat exchange medium flow within the chamber section,in an easy, cost effective manner. The medium directing distributionpanel easily allows for means to adjust the flow direction of the heatexchange medium within the chamber section, while also maintaining easeof manufacturability. Regardless of the type of heat exchange mediumutilized, whether it be gas, liquid, or a combination of two or moretypes of mediums, the present invention allows for means to effectivelydirect the flow of the heat exchange medium within the chamber sectionto fully utilize heat transfer surface provided by the chamber section,enhancing the overall performance of the heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger may comprise the inlet tube, the chamber section, theoutlet tube, and the medium directing member assembly disposed withinthe chamber section. In other embodiment of the present invention, aplurality of heat exchangers as described herein may be coupled togetherin a serial or a parallel fashion to form a larger heat exchangerassembly. As such, the flow pattern described herein may be repeatedseveral times dependent upon the number of inlet tubes, chambersections, outlet tubes, and medium directing member assemblies packagedwithin an embodiment of a heat exchanger assembly.

The tube and chamber section flow path surfaces as well as the mediumdirecting member assembly may feature surface enhancements, such as, butnot limited to, dimples, fins, louvers, known in the art to enhance heattransfer effectiveness in a heat exchanger application.

The heat exchanger may comprise of ferrous or non-ferrous material. Thematerial may be an alloy, plastics, composites, or other materialsuitable for use as a heat exchanger known in the art. In otherembodiments of the present invention, more than one type of material maybe utilized in composition of the heat exchanger, such as by combiningaluminum alloy components with components comprising of composites, forexample.

The tube and chamber sections as well as the medium directing memberassembly of the heat exchanger may be manufactured by stamping, coldforging, machining, casting, 3-D printing, or by other manufacturingmethods known in the art. The tube and chamber sections of the heatexchanger may be manufactured from one piece of material or may bemanufactured as separate pieces. The medium directing member assembly ofthe heat exchanger may be manufactured from one piece of material or maycomprise as an assembly of two or more components. The heat exchangermay be coupled together by means of brazing, soldering, welding,mechanical means, or adhesive means known in the art.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading thesubsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat exchanger according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a chamber section according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a chamber section interior,illustrating the general heat exchange medium flow pattern within a heatexchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic frontal view of a chamber section, illustratingthe general heat exchange medium flow pattern within a heat exchangeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an internal right-side view of a heat exchanger according toan embodiment of the present invention, with the chamber section lateralwall removed, illustrating the positioning of a medium directing memberwithin a chamber section interior;

FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of a medium directing member assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a medium directing member assembly accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a medium directing member assembly accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a right-side view of a medium directing member assemblyaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective anterior view of another embodiment of a mediumdirecting member assembly according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective posterior view of another embodiment of amedium directing member assembly according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic frontal view of a chamber section interior,showing a spatial relationship between a chamber section lateral walland a medium directing distribution panel along section A of FIG. 3according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic frontal view of a chamber section interior,showing a spatial relationship between a chamber section lateral walland a medium directing distribution panel according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of a chamber section interior, showing aspatial relationship between a chamber section lateral wall and a mediumdirecting member assembly according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic frontal view of a chamber section interior,showing a spatial relationship between a chamber section lateral walland a medium directing distribution panel along with locations of fluidpassageways indicated by boxed areas according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic frontal view of another embodiment of a chambersection interior, showing a spatial relationship between a chambersection lateral wall and a medium directing distribution panel alongwith locations of fluid passageways indicated by boxed areas accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic frontal view of yet another embodiment of achamber section interior, showing a spatial relationship between achamber section lateral wall and a medium directing distribution panelalong with locations of fluid passageways indicated by boxed areasaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic top view of a chamber section interior, showing aspatial relationship between a chamber section lateral wall and a mediumdirecting member assembly along with locations of fluid passagewaysindicated by boxed areas according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic left side view of a chamber section interior,showing a spatial relationship between a chamber section lateral walland a medium directing member assembly along with locations of fluidpassageways indicated by boxed areas according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic right-side view of a chamber section interior,showing a spatial relationship between a chamber section lateral walland a medium directing member assembly along with locations of fluidpassageways indicated by boxed areas according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic frontal view of a chamber section interior,showing interior chamber section lateral wall arc surface area faced byrespective outside lateral and vertical surface area of a mediumdirecting distribution panel according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 23 is a schematic frontal view of a chamber section interior,showing interior chamber section lateral wall arc surface area faced byrespective outside lateral and vertical surface area of a mediumdirecting distribution panel according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, anembodiment of a heat exchanger 100 is shown. The heat exchanger 100illustratively comprises an inlet tube 110, a chamber section 115, andan outlet tube 120. The inlet tube 110 is coupled to the chamber section115, having an inlet 105 to introduce a heat exchange medium into theheat exchanger 100. Now referring to FIG. 4, a schematic perspectiveview of a chamber section interior, illustrating the general heatexchange medium flow pattern within the heat exchanger 100 is shown. Inaddition to facilitating means to introduce the heat exchange medium into the heat exchanger 100, the inlet tube 110 generally functions asmeans to establish a desired directional flow characteristic of the heatexchange medium, as the heat exchange medium is introduced into thechamber section 115. The desired flow characteristics generally conformto the longitudinal axial characteristics of the inlet tube 110, whichgenerally produces a uniform longitudinal flow pattern. Now referring toFIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the inlet tube 110 is generally hollow, fluidlyconnected to the interior of the chamber section 115, which is alsohollow. An embodiment of the inlet tube 110 may be shown as cylindricalin shape, however, the inlet tube 110 may be of any other geometricshape like ovoid or rectangular parallelepiped, for example. Similarly,an embodiment of the chamber section 115 may also be shown ascylindrical in shape. However, the chamber section 115 may be of anyother geometric shape like ovoid or rectangular parallelepiped, forexample. To facilitate means to discharge the heat exchange medium outof the chamber section 115, the outlet tube 120 is coupled to thechamber section 115 as shown in FIG. 6. The outlet tube 120 is providedwith an outlet 125, which is open to the exterior of the heat exchanger100, providing means to discharge the heat exchange medium out of theheat exchanger 100. The outlet tube 120 is hollow, fluidly connected tothe interior of the chamber section 115. An embodiment of the outlettube 120 may be shown as cylindrical in shape. However, in otherembodiments of the present invention, it may be of any other geometricshape like ovoid or rectangular parallelepiped, for example.

The heat exchanger 100 generally utilizes two heat exchange mediums. Afirst heat exchange medium flow within the heat exchanger 100. A secondheat exchange medium flow outside of the heat exchanger 100. The heatexchange medium utilized within the heat exchanger 100 may be of thesame variant as the heat exchange medium utilized outside of the heatexchanger 100. Alternatively, the heat exchange medium utilized withinthe heat exchanger 100 may be of a different variant than the heatexchange medium utilized outside of the heat exchanger 100. Theobjective of the heat exchanger 100 is generally to transfer heat fromthe first heat exchange medium contained within the heat exchanger 100to the second heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger100, or vice versa. The heat exchange medium may by gas or liquid. Theheat exchange medium may comprise of one or a plurality of substances.In some embodiments of the present invention, solids may be mixed withgaseous or liquid compounds, such as in refrigerant medium with silicasolids, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, exterior top view of the heatexchanger 100, as well as an internal right-side view of the heatexchanger 100 is shown, respectively. The chamber section 115 comprisesa chamber section anterior wall 235, a chamber section posterior wall240, and a chamber section lateral wall 245. The chamber sectionanterior wall 235 and the chamber section posterior wall 240 aregenerally planar features, each respectively having a first planar faceand a second planar face. The chamber section 115 frontal and rearwardwalls are respectively established by the chamber section anterior wall235 and the chamber section posterior wall 240, spaced apart, leaving aspace between the respective walls. The chamber section lateral wall 245is generally a cylindrical feature, wherein a first free end of thechamber section lateral wall 245 is coupled to the first planar face ofthe chamber section anterior wall 235, while a second free end of thechamber section lateral wall 245 is coupled to the first planar face ofthe chamber section posterior wall 240. The chamber section anteriorwall 235 and the chamber section posterior wall 240 may be joinedconcentrically together by the chamber section lateral wall 245,completing the chamber section 115 as a fluid containing vessel. Thediameter of the chamber section 115 may be generally greater than thediameter of the inlet tube 115 and the outlet tube 120. The inlet tube115 is generally coupled to the second planar face of the chambersection anterior wall 235, while the outlet tube 120 is generallycoupled to the second planar face of the chamber section posterior wall240.

Now referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, disposed within the chamber section115 is a medium directing member assembly 145. The medium directingmember assembly 145 generally comprises an inlet channel member 135, amedium directing distribution panel 155, and an outlet channel member150. The inlet channel member 135 generally appears to have a U-shapedappearance, with a bottom vertical section of the inlet channel member135 formed by an inlet bottom wall 195, while the lateral sides of theinlet channel member 135 are formed by an inlet first side wall 185 andan inlet second side wall 190, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 5. Nowreferring to FIG. 7, the inlet first side wall 185 and the inlet secondside wall 190 are generally planar features, positioned laterally spacedapart, extending longitudinally within the chamber section 115.Referring to FIG. 8, the frontal view of the medium directing memberassembly, the inlet bottom wall 195 is generally a panel memberfeaturing a concave inward face on the surface of the panel memberfacing towards the central axis of the chamber section 115, extendinglongitudinally within the chamber section 115 (see FIG. 4). In otherembodiments of the present invention, however, the inlet bottom wall 195may feature a generally planar inward and outward surface. The inletbottom wall 195, the inlet first side wall 185, and the inlet secondside wall 190 are generally coupled together forming a unitary unit,wherein the inlet first side wall 185 is coupled to a first lateral edgeof the inlet bottom wall 195, while the inlet second side wall 190 iscoupled to a second lateral edge of the inlet bottom wall 195 (see FIGS.7 and 8). The inlet first side wall 185 and the inlet second side wall190 are coupled to the inlet bottom wall 195 in a generallyperpendicular fashion so that the respective lateral walls extendvertically upwardly from the inlet bottom wall 195 (see FIG. 8). As canbe observed in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the top vertical medial section of theinlet channel member 135 is generally open to the chamber section 115interior, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therethrough.Referring again to FIG. 6, the inlet channel member 135 generallyextends longitudinally within the chamber section 115, with a first freeend of the inlet channel member 135 coupled to the chamber sectionanterior wall 235, while a second free end of the inlet channel memberis coupled to the medium directing distribution panel 155.

The inlet channel member 115 comprising the inlet bottom wall 195, theinlet first side wall 185, and the inlet second side wall 190 form aninlet channel member passageway 285, a flow channel wherein the heatexchange medium flow therethrough. As can be observed in FIG. 6, theinlet channel member passageway 285 formed on the inlet channel member135 generally align axially with the central axis of the inlet tube 110.The inlet channel member 135 generally has a similar longitudinalcharacteristic as the chamber section lateral wall 245, in that the twocomponents are generally positioned parallel to each other. In otherembodiments of the present invention, however, the inlet channel member135 may by positioned within the chamber section 115 in such a matter sothat the inlet channel member 135 may not be in a parallel relationshipwith the chamber section lateral wall 245, or in yet another embodimentof the present invention, the inlet channel member passageway 285 may beaxially offset from the central axis of the inlet tube 110. The inletchannel member 135 is generally disposed within the chamber section 115,leaving a space between the respective components comprising the inletchannel member 135 and the chamber section lateral wall 245, permittingflow of the heat exchange medium therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the outlet channel member150 comprises an outlet top wall 210, an outlet first side wall 200, andan outlet second side wall 205. The outlet channel member 150 generallyappears to have an inverse U-shaped appearance, with the top verticalsection of the outlet channel member 150 formed by the outlet top wall210, while the lateral sides of the outlet channel member 150 are formedby the outlet first side wall 200 and the outlet second side wall 205.The outlet first side wall 200 and the outlet second side wall 205 aregenerally planar features, positioned laterally spaced apart, extendinglongitudinally within the chamber section 115. The outlet top wall 210generally is a panel member featuring a concave inward face facingtowards the central axis of the chamber section 115, extendinglongitudinally within the chamber section 115. In other embodiments ofthe present invention, the outlet top wall 210 may feature a generallyplanar inward and outward surface. The outlet top wall 210, the outletfirst side wall 200, and the outlet second side wall 205 are generallycoupled together, forming a unitary unit, wherein the outlet first sidewall 200 is coupled to a first lateral edge of the outlet top wall 210,while the outlet second side wall 205 is coupled to a second lateraledge of the outlet top wall 210. The outlet first side wall 200 and theoutlet second side wall 205 may be coupled to the outlet top wall 210 ina perpendicular fashion so that the respective walls extend verticallydownwardly from the outlet top wall 210. The bottom vertical medialsection of the outlet channel member 150 is generally open to thechamber section 115 interior, permitting flow of the heat exchangemedium therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 15, the orientation of the outlet channelmember 150 is generally in an inverse relationship to the positionalorientation of the inlet channel member 135. Whereas the inlet channelmember 135 has the top vertical section generally open to the interiorof the chamber section 115, the outlet channel member 150 generally hasthe bottom vertical section open to the interior of the chamber section115. However, in other embodiment of the present invention, theorientation of the inlet channel member 135 may not be in a directinverse positional relationship to the outlet channel member 150orientation. Instead, the respective vertical openings of the inletchannel member 135 and the outlet channel member 150 may be at adivergent angular relationship from each other.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the outlet channel member 150generally extends longitudinally within the chamber section 115, with afirst free end of the outlet channel member 150 coupled to the mediumdirecting distribution panel 155, while a second free end of the outletchannel member 150 coupled to the chamber section posterior wall 240.The outlet channel member 150 comprising the outlet top wall 210, theoutlet first side wall 200, and the outlet second side wall 205 form anoutlet channel member passageway 305, a flow channel wherein the heatexchange medium flow therethrough. The outlet channel member passageway305 formed on the outlet channel member 150 generally align axially withthe central axis of the outlet tube 120. The outlet channel member 150generally may have similar longitudinal characteristic as the chambersection lateral wall 245, in that the two parts may be generallypositioned parallel to each other. However, in other embodiments of thepresent invention, the outlet channel member 150 and the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 may not be in a parallel relationship. In yet anotherembodiment of the present invention, the outlet channel memberpassageway 305 may not align axially with the central axis of the outlettube 120. The outlet channel member 150 is generally disposed within thechamber section 115, leaving a space between respective componentscomprising the outlet channel member 150 and the chamber section lateralwall 245, permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 7 and FIG. 15, longitudinally disposed between theinlet channel member 135 and the outlet channel member 150 is the mediumdirecting distribution panel 155. The medium directing distributionpanel 155 features an inlet face 165 and an outlet face 170, a forwardfacing generally planar feature and a rearward facing generally planarfeature, respectively. The inlet face 165 faces towards the inlet tube110, while coupled to the second free end of the inlet channel member135. The outlet face 170 is coupled to the first free end of the outletchannel member 150, while generally facing towards the outlet tube 120.The inlet face 165 generally features an angled face with respect to thelongitudinal axial characteristics established by the inlet channelmember 135. The outlet face 170 generally features an angled face withrespect to the longitudinal axial characteristics established by theoutlet channel member 150.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the medium directing distribution panel 155features on its first and second lateral sides, a first side face mediumdirecting distribution panel 215 and a second side face medium directingdistribution panel 220, respectively. The first side face mediumdirecting distribution panel 215 and the second side face mediumdirecting distribution panel 220 generally have a curved outward facingsurface facing towards the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245, while generally conforming to the interior shape ofthe chamber section lateral wall 245. The plane generally established bythe outward facing surface of the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215 generally extend above the plane established bythe outward plane of the inlet first side wall 185, facing towards theinterior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. The planegenerally established by the outward facing surface of the second sideface medium directing distribution panel 220 generally extend above theplane established by the outward plane of the inlet second side wall190, surface of which faces towards the interior surface of the chambersection lateral wall 245. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, however, the plane generally established by the outwardfacing surface of the first side face medium directing distributionpanel 215 and the second side face medium directing distribution panel220 may be on generally the same plane as the plane established by theoutward facing surface of the inlet first side wall 185 and the inletsecond side wall 190, respectively.

The first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and thesecond side face medium directing distribution panel 220 may bepositioned spaced apart from the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245, permitting flow of the heat exchange mediumtherebetween. The flow space provided between the first side face mediumdirecting distribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chambersection lateral wall 245 provides a left quadrant distribution panelpassageway 260, permitting flow of the heat exchange mediumtherethrough. The flow space provided between the second side facemedium directing distribution panel 220 and the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall 245 provides a right quadrant distributionpanel passageway 265, permitting flow of the heat exchange mediumtherethrough. The shape of the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215 and the second side face medium directingdistribution panel 220 may be generally similar in shape. Furthermore,the flow space created between the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 may be generally similar in size to the flow spaceprovided between the second side face medium directing distributionpanel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall245, to permit equal distribution of heat exchange medium flow betweenrespective spaces. In other embodiments of the present invention,however, the two flow spaces may have dissimilar amount of space createdbetween respective components to obtain a desired effect to the flowcharacteristics of the heat exchange medium within the chamber section115. Furthermore, the two spaces may have dissimilar shape orconfiguration to obtain a desired effect to the flow characteristics ofthe heat exchange medium through respective spaces. In yet anotherembodiment of the present invention, the first side face mediumdirecting distribution panel 215 and the second side face mediumdirecting distribution panel 220 may feature generally planar surface.Furthermore, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, thefirst side face medium directing distribution panel 215 and the secondside face medium directing distribution panel 220 may have surfacefeatures, such as but not limited to, serrated surface or protrusions,for example.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, the right-side view of the mediumdirecting member assembly, and FIG. 15, the schematic top view of thechamber section interior. The medium directing distribution panel 155 onits top vertical section and its bottom vertical section features a topface medium directing distribution panel 225 and a bottom face mediumdirecting distribution panel 230, respectively (see FIGS. 20 and 21).The shape of the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 andthe bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 generallyfeature curved outward facing surface facing towards the interiorsurface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, while generallyconforming to the interior shape of the chamber section lateral wall245.

The plane generally established by the outward facing surface of the topface medium directing distribution panel 225 generally extends above theleading vertical edge of the inlet first side wall 185 as well as theleading vertical edge of the inlet second side wall 190. The planegenerally established by the outward facing surface of the bottom facemedium directing distribution panel 230 generally extends above theplane generally established by the outward surface of the inlet bottomwall 195, surface of which faces towards the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall 245. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, the plane generally established by the outward facing surfaceof the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 may be generallyon the same plane as the leading vertical edge of the inlet first sidewall 185. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the planegenerally established by the outward facing surface of the top facemedium directing distribution panel 225 may be generally on the sameplane as the leading vertical edge of the inlet second side wall 190. Inyet another embodiment of the present invention, the plane generallyestablished by the outward facing surface of the bottom face mediumdirecting distribution panel 230 may be generally on the same plane asthe plane generally established by the outward surface of the inletbottom wall 195.

The top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and the bottom facemedium directing distribution panel 230 may be positioned spaced apartfrom the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245,permitting flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The spaceprovided between the top face medium directing distribution panel 225and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 forms atop quadrant distribution panel passageway 250, a flow path permittingflow of the heat exchange medium therethrough. The space providedbetween the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 and theinterior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 forms a bottomquadrant distribution panel passageway 255, a flow path permitting flowof the heat exchange medium therethrough. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the shape of the top face medium directingdistribution panel 225 and the bottom face medium directing distributionpanel 230 may be generally similar in shape. Furthermore, the flow spacecreated between the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 andthe interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may begenerally similar in size to the flow space provided between the bottomface medium directing distribution panel 230 and the interior surface ofthe chamber section lateral wall 245, to permit equal distribution ofheat exchange medium flow between the two respective spaces. However, inother embodiments of the present invention, the shape as well as spacecreated between respective components may be dissimilar. In yet anotherembodiment of the present invention the top face medium directingdistribution panel 225 and the bottom face medium directing distributionpanel 230 may feature generally planar surface. Furthermore, in yetanother embodiment of the present invention, the top face mediumdirecting distribution panel 225 and the bottom face medium directingdistribution panel 230 may have surface features, such as but notlimited to, serrated surface or protrusions, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, as the heat exchange medium isintroduced from the inlet tube 110 to the chamber section 115 interior,the heat exchange medium initially generally flow within the chambersection 115, substantially flowing within the inlet channel memberpassageway 285 (See FIG. 19) established by the inlet channel member135. As the inlet channel member 135 terminates, the heat exchangemedium is directed towards the inlet face 165 of the medium directingdistribution panel 155, which fully engages the second end of the inletchannel 135 impeding any further forward progress of the heat exchangemedium flow established within the inlet channel member 135. The flowestablished within the inlet channel 135 terminates as the heat exchangemedium contacts the inlet face 165 of the medium directing distributionpanel 155, while the angled face of the inlet face 165 generally causesa swirling and mixing effect to the heat exchange medium upon impactwith minimal impact to pressure drop effect to the heat exchange mediumflow, which is known in the art to greatly enhance heat transferefficiency.

Now referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, an embodiment of the mediumdirecting member assembly 145 according to the present invention isshown in the drawings. The inlet face 165 of the medium directingdistribution panel 155 generally features an inclined angled face withrespect to the longitudinal axial characteristics established by theinlet channel member 135, facilitating means to substantially divert theflow of the heat exchange medium in a generally vertical direction,generally directing the heat exchange medium flow upwards away from theinlet channel member passageway 285 (See FIG. 19) established by theinlet channel member 135 towards a top quadrant of the chamber section115 in an anterior portion of the chamber section 115, forward of theinlet face 165 of the medium directing distribution panel 155. The heatexchange medium flow directional change afforded by the medium directingdistribution panel 155 further causes mixing and swirling effect to theheat exchange medium, known in the art to disrupt formation of boundarylayers to the heat exchange medium, improving the heat transfercharacteristics of the heat exchanger 100. Once the heat exchange mediumreaches the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115,flow of the heat exchange medium is further diverted into three distinctflow paths. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first two flow paths aretwo divergent lateral flow paths, generally symmetrical to one another,flowing in a semi-circular manner within the anterior portion of thechamber section 115. The first semi-circular flow is generallylongitudinally located in a space provided between the chamber sectionanterior wall 235 and the first side face medium directing distributionpanel 215 in the left quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section115, while the second semi-circular flow is generally longitudinallylocated in a space provided between the chamber section anterior wall235 and the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 inthe right quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115. Again,the heat exchange medium flow divergent from its established directionalflow characteristics is known in the art to cause mixing and swirlingeffect to the heat exchange medium, known in the art to enhance heattransfer characteristics of the heat exchanger 100.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the two semi-circular flow paths generallyflow away from one another, while generally vertically axially alignedto one another, flowing within the opening provided between the inletchannel member 135 and the chamber section lateral wall 245 in theirrespective spaces. The first semi-circular flow path is in a leftquadrant inlet channel member passageway 270, a space laterally boundbetween the inlet first side wall 185 and the proximate interior surfaceof the chamber section lateral wall 245 to the inlet channel member 135while longitudinally framed between the chamber section anterior wall235 and the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 ingenerally the left quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115.The second semi-circular flow path is in a right quadrant inlet channelmember passageway 275, a space laterally bound between the inlet secondside wall 190 and the proximate interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 to the inlet channel member 135 while longitudinallyframed between the chamber section anterior wall 235 and the second sideface medium directing distribution panel 220, in generally the rightquadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115. The third flowpath is a rearward flow from the top quadrant anterior portion of thechamber section 115 through the outlet channel member passageway 305, anopening provided between the top face medium directing distributionpanel 225 and the chamber section lateral wall 245 (See FIG. 20).

Referring now to FIG. 19 and FIG. 21, once the heat exchange medium flowthrough the two semi-circular flow paths respectively in the leftquadrant and the right quadrant of the chamber section 115 anteriorsection, the respective heat exchange medium flows are generallydirected to flow into one another at the bottom quadrant anteriorportion of the chamber section 115, in a bottom quadrant inlet channelmember passageway 280, causing further mixing and swirling effect to theheat exchange medium, generally known to improve the heat transfereffectiveness of the heat exchange medium by disrupting formation ofboundary layers to the heat exchange medium. As the two semi-circularflows are directed to flow into one another inside the bottom quadrantinlet channel member passageway 280, the two semi-circular flows aregenerally merged into a singular flow. The merged heat exchange mediumflow is then further directed to flow through the bottom quadrantdistribution panel passageway 255, the flow path for the heat exchangemedium provided between the bottom face medium directing distributionpanel 230 and the chamber section lateral wall 245, permitting flow ofthe heat exchange medium towards the bottom quadrant posterior portionof the chamber section 115, leading into the outlet channel memberpassageway 305 provided in the outlet channel member 150.

Referring again to FIG. 5 and FIG, 15, the heat exchange medium directedtowards the third flow path of heat exchange medium generally collectsin a top quadrant outlet channel member passageway 300 (See FIGS. 20 and21), in the top quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section 115,as any further forward progress is impeded by the chamber sectionposterior wall 240. The heat exchange medium collected in the topquadrant outlet channel member passageway 300 is generally furtherdirected to flow through a left quadrant outlet channel memberpassageway 290 and a right quadrant outlet channel member passageway295. The left quadrant outlet channel member passageway 290 is a flowpath for the heat exchange medium provided in the left quadrantposterior portion of the chamber section 115, laterally framed betweenthe outlet first side wall 200 and the proximate interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall 245 to the outlet channel member 150, whilelongitudinally framed between the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215 and the chamber section posterior wall 240. Theright quadrant outlet channel member passageway 295 is a flow path forthe heat exchange medium provided in the right quadrant posteriorportion of the chamber section 115, laterally framed between the outletsecond side wall 205 and the proximate interior surface of the chambersection lateral wall 245 to the outlet channel member 150, whilelongitudinally framed between the second side face medium directingdistribution panel 220 and the chamber section posterior wall 240.Referring to FIG. 4, flow of the heat exchange medium through the leftquadrant outlet channel member passageway 290 and the right quadrantoutlet channel member passageway 295 are two divergent lateral flowpaths, generally symmetrical to one another, flowing in a semi-circularmanner within the posterior portion of the chamber section 115. The twosemi-circular flow of the heat exchange medium in the posterior portionof the chamber section 115 are independent and separate heat exchangemedium flow regime from the two semi-circular flow of the heat exchangemedium established in the anterior portion of the chamber section 115,separately controlled for heat exchange medium flow configuration. Thetwo semi-circular flow of the heat exchange medium in the left quadrantoutlet channel member passageway 290 and the right quadrant outletchannel member passageway 295 generally flow away from one another,while generally vertically axially aligned to one another, flowingwithin their respective space provided between the outlet channel member150 and the proximate interior surface of the chamber section lateralwall 245. Again, the heat exchange medium flow divergent from itsestablished directional flow characteristics is known in the art tocause mixing effect to the heat exchange medium, known to enhance heattransfer characteristics of the heat exchanger.

Once the two semi-circular flows complete their flow through theirrespective flow space in the left quadrant and the right quadrantposterior section of the chamber section 115, the two separate heatexchange medium flows are generally directed to collide into one anotherat the bottom quadrant posterior portion of the chamber section 115,generally just below the outlet channel member passageway 305 merginginto generally a singular flow. The merging of the two separate heatexchange medium flows into a singular flow causes further mixing andswirling effect to the heat exchange medium as the two flows arecombined. The merged heat exchange medium flow is then generally furtherdirected to flow into the outlet channel member passageway 305 of theoutlet channel member 150, flowing longitudinally within the outletchannel member passageway 305, following the longitudinal axialcharacteristics of the outlet channel member 150.

Referring to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the heat exchange medium flow that hasbeen diverted into three distinct flow paths at the top quadrantanterior portion of the chamber section lateral wall 245 generally mergeinto one singular flow as the respective heat exchange medium flow reachthe outlet channel member passageway 305. The action of merging multipleheat exchange medium flows into a singular flow causes significantmixing and swirling effect to the heat exchange medium, known in the artto improve the overall heat transfer characteristics of the heatexchanger, by disrupting formation of boundary layers to the heatexchange medium. The merged heat exchange medium, directed to flow intothe outlet channel member passageway 305, generally flow in alongitudinal axial characteristic established by the outlet channelmember 150. As the heat exchange medium reaches the end of the outletchannel member 150, the heat exchange medium is directed to flow intothe outlet tube 120. Once the heat exchange medium reaches the outlettube 120, the heat exchange medium is discharged out of the heatexchanger 100 out of the outlet 125 provided by the outlet tube 120.

Referring now to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, another embodiment of a mediumdirecting member assembly 145A is shown. The medium directing memberassembly 145A is a simplified embodiment of the present invention, whichmay be well suited for use in an embodiment of the present inventionwith the chamber section 115 of an extended, yet of moderatelongitudinal length, not warranting extensive need for heat exchangemedium distribution means within the chamber section 115. In such anembodiment of the present invention, the medium directing memberassembly 145A comprises two lateral walls, spaced apart, of a firstlateral wall 175 and a second lateral wall 180, with a planar angledbody disposed between the first lateral wall 175 and the second lateralwall 180. The planar angled body disposed between the first lateral wall175 and the second lateral wall 180 comprise the inlet face 165A and theoutlet face 170A, the first face of the planar body and the second faceof the planar body, respectively. The inlet face 165A faces towards theinlet tube 110, while disposed in an inclined relation to thelongitudinal axial characteristics established by the first lateral wall175 and the second lateral wall 180. The outlet face 170A faces towardsthe outlet tube 120, while disposed in an inclined relation to thelongitudinal axial characteristics established by the first lateral wall175 and the second lateral wall 180. The first lateral wall 175 and thesecond lateral wall 180 are generally planar bodies, having generallysimilar dimensional characteristics. A first planar surface of the firstlateral wall 175 facing towards the interior surface of the chambersection lateral wall 245 is generally positioned spaced apart from thechamber section lateral wall 245, permitting flow of the heat exchangemedium therebetween. A first planar surface of the second lateral wall180 facing towards the interior surface of the chamber section lateralwall 245 is generally positioned spaced apart from the chamber sectionlateral wall 245, permitting flow of the heat exchange mediumtherebetween. A first free forward edge of the first lateral wall 175engages the chamber section anterior wall 235, while a second freerearward edge of the first lateral wall 175 engages the chamber sectionposterior wall 240. Similarly, a first free forward edge of the secondlateral wall 180 engages the chamber section anterior wall 235, while asecond free rearward edge of the second lateral wall 180 engages thechamber section posterior wall 240.

Referring again to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, an embodiment of the mediumdirecting assembly 145A is shown. In this embodiment of the presentinvention, the heat exchange medium fluid flow characteristics may bemodified to suit the needs of the heat exchanger application, bymodifying the dimensional characteristics of the components comprisingthe medium directing assembly 145A. The flow of the heat exchange mediumto the left quadrant of the chamber section 115, between the chambersection lateral wall 245 and the first lateral wall 175 may be increasedor decreased by increasing the spatial separation between the chambersection lateral wall 245 and the first lateral wall 175. Keeping alldimensional characteristics constant within the chamber section 115,with the exception of the first lateral wall 175, the flow of the heatexchange medium towards the left quadrant of the chamber section 115 maybe increased or decreased by altering the thickness of the first lateralwall 175. When the thickness of the first lateral wall 175 is increased,the spatial separation between the first lateral wall 175 and thechamber section lateral wall 245 is decreased, thereby restricting flowof the heat exchange medium to the left quadrant of the chamber section115. The opposite effect may be achieved by decreasing the lateralthickness of the first lateral wall 175, thereby increasing the spatialseparation between the first lateral wall 175 and the chamber sectionlateral wall 245. Similarly, the flow of the heat exchange medium to theright quadrant of the chamber section 115, between the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 and the second lateral wall 180, may be increased ordecreased by altering the thickness of the second lateral wall 180. Whenthe thickness of the second lateral wall 180 is increased, the spatialseparation between the second lateral wall 180 and the chamber sectionlateral wall is decreased, thereby restricting flow of the heat exchangemedium to the right quadrant of the chamber section 115. The oppositeeffect may be achieved by decreasing the lateral thickness of the secondlateral wall 180, thereby increasing the spatial separation between thesecond lateral wall 180 and the chamber section lateral wall 245.

The distribution of the heat exchange medium within the chamber section115, along the longitudinal axis, either to the anterior portion of thechamber section 115 towards the chamber section anterior wall 235 or tothe posterior portion of the chamber section 115, towards the chambersection posterior wall 240, may be achieved by altering the thickness ofthe first free end or the second free end of the first lateral wall 175,with concurrent alteration made to the thickness of the first free endor the second free end of the second lateral wall 180. Keeping alldimensions constant within the chamber section 115, with an exception ofthe thickness of the first free end of the first lateral wall 175 andthe first free end of the second lateral wall 180, the flow of the heatexchange medium towards the anterior portion of the chamber section 115interior may be increased or decreased. When the thickness of the firstfree end of the first lateral wall 175 and the first free end of thesecond lateral wall 180 are simultaneously increased, the flow of heatexchange medium may be decreased towards the anterior portion of thechamber section 115 by reducing the spatial separation between the firstlateral wall 175 and the chamber section lateral wall 245, as well asthe spatial separation between the second lateral wall 180 and thechamber section lateral wall 245. Alternatively, to achieve greater flowof the heat exchange medium towards the anterior portion of the chambersection 115 interior, the thickness of the first free end of the firstlateral wall 175 and the first free end of the second lateral wall 180may be decreased, thereby increasing the spatial separation between thefirst lateral wall 175 and the chamber section lateral wall 245, as wellas the spatial separation between the second lateral wall 180 and thechamber section lateral wall 245, allowing for more flow of the heatexchange medium towards the anterior portion of the chamber section 115interior. Similar effect to the heat exchange medium flow may beachieved by altering the thickness of the respective second free end ofthe first lateral wall 175 and the second lateral wall 180. Thethickness of the first lateral wall 175 and the second lateral wall 180may be partly increased or decreased, wherein a portion of therespective walls may be altered by means of forming an indentation or aprotrusion on the plane established by the respective lateral wallsfacing towards the chamber section lateral wall 245. Similarly, thethickness of the first lateral wall 175 and the second lateral wall 180may be altered by having a taper on the surface of the respectivelateral walls facing towards the chamber section lateral wall 245,wherein the first free longitudinal end of the respective walls may bethicker or thinner than the second free longitudinal end of therespective walls, or vice versa.

Now, references are made to FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21, a schematictop view, a schematic left view, and a schematic right view of thechamber section interior, respectively, are presented. Provided with themedium directing member assembly 145 are means to coordinate andregulate flow of the heat exchange medium to fully and effectivelyutilize the surface area for heat transfer purposes provided by thechamber section 115, especially suited for the longitudinally elongatedchamber section 115 having an extended surface area for heat transferpurposes. Initial flow establishing and re-establishing features areprovided in the form of the inlet channel member 135 and the outletchannel member 150, respectively, within the chamber section 115. Theinlet channel member 135 establishes the initial line of flow of theheat exchange medium within the chamber section 115 as the heat exchangemedium is introduced into the chamber section 115 from the inlet tube110, to allow subsequent flow directional change to occur within thechamber section 115 with maximal effect. The outlet channel member 150is provided within the chamber section 115 to generally re-establish theinitial line of heat exchange medium flow established in the inletchannel member 135, prior to discharge of the heat exchange medium outof the heat exchanger 100. The outlet channel member 150 also functionsas a space to provide the heat exchange medium to mix and agitate, priorto discharge of the heat exchange medium out of the heat exchanger 100,as the heat exchange medium flowing from multiple passageways providedwithin the chamber section 115 generally converge in the outlet channelmember passageway 305, enhancing heat transfer efficiency by disruptingformation of boundary layers detrimental to heat transfer efficiency.

Reference is now made to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, which are schematicinterior view of the chamber section 115 from the left-hand side and theright-hand side, respectively. The left quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway 270, the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275,and the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250 provide the threeflow paths for the heat exchange medium once the heat exchange mediumreaches the top quadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115.The means to adjust the distribution of the heat exchange medium intorespective three flow paths are achieved by reducing or enlarging therespective passageway openings. The left quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway275 may be generally set at a similar size to achieve equal distributionof the heat exchange medium flow. However, in other embodiments of thepresent invention, one side may be enlarged or reduced to allow for moreflow or less flow, respectively.

The flow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inletchannel member passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channelmember passageway 275 represent the flow of the heat exchange mediumwithin the anterior portion of the chamber section 115, from the topquadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115 to the bottomquadrant anterior portion of the chamber section 115. The flow throughthe top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250 represents the heatexchange medium flow towards the posterior portion of the chambersection 115 from the top quadrant anterior portion of the chambersection 115. Distribution of the heat exchange medium flow between theanterior portion of the chamber section 115 and the posterior portion ofthe chamber section 115 may be varied by adjusting the combinedpassageway size of the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275, along withthe passageway opening provided in the top quadrant distribution panelpassageway 250. When the space provided in the top quadrant distributionpanel passageway 250 is increased, flow of the heat exchange medium tothe left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270 and the rightquadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 may be decreased. Thereverse effect may be achieved by decreasing the opening space providedin the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250, allowing for moreflow of the heat exchange medium into the left quadrant inlet channelmember passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway 275.

The heat exchange medium flowing through the left quadrant inlet channelmember passageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway 275 generally collect at the bottom quadrant inlet channelmember passageway 280, once flowing through their respectivepassageways. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heatexchange medium flow through the left quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway275 may be caused to follow a more vertical downward flow from the topquadrant anterior section of the chamber section 115 to the bottomquadrant inlet channel member passageway 280, when the opening in theleft quadrant distribution panel passageway 260 and the right quadrantdistribution panel passageway 265 are restricted. In such anarrangement, the two semi-circular flow of the heat exchange mediumrespectively in the left quadrant inlet channel member passageway 270and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway 275 may bedirected to flow into one another at the bottom quadrant inlet channelmember passageway 280 with more impact, causing extensive mixing andagitating effect to the heat exchange medium, known in the art toenhance the heat transfer effectiveness by reducing the formation ofboundary layers to the heat exchange medium.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow of the heatexchange medium from the top quadrant anterior portion of the chambersection 115 may be directed to partially flow in a longitudinallydownward diagonal flow from the top quadrant anterior portion of thechamber section 115 towards the bottom posterior portion of the chambersection 115, by enlarging the spatial openings provided in the leftquadrant distribution panel passageway 260 and the right quadrantdistribution panel passageway 265, while restricting the opening of thebottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255. In such an embodimentof the present invention, the two semi-circular flow of the heatexchange medium flow in the left quadrant inlet channel memberpassageway 270 and the right quadrant inlet channel member passageway275 partially merge with the two semi-circular flow of heat exchangemedium flowing through the left quadrant outlet channel memberpassageway 290 and the right quadrant outlet channel member passageway295, prior to fully merging into a singular flow at the bottom quadrantposterior portion of the chamber section 115, generally in the outletchannel member passageway 305. In such an embodiment of the presentinvention, the mixing and agitating effect to the heat exchange mediummay be maintained, thereby having superior heat transfer efficiency,while reducing pressure drop effect to the heat exchange medium flow byproviding an overall greater spatial heat exchange medium flowpassageway within the chamber section 115.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the medium directing distribution panel 155provides for means to easily adjust the heat exchange medium flowvolume, flow directional adjustment, as well as flow characteristicalteration within the chamber section 115. The medium directingdistribution panel 155 provides for a throttling effect to the heatexchange medium flow by means of adjusting the spatial separationbetween the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 andthe interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, thespatial separation between the second side face medium directingdistribution panel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245, the spatial separation between the top face mediumdirecting distribution panel 225 and the interior surface of the chambersection lateral wall 245, as well as the spatial separation between thebottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 and the interiorsurface of the chamber section lateral wall 245.

The medium directing distribution panel 155 allows for more flow of theheat exchange medium from the anterior portion of the chamber section115 to the top posterior portion of the chamber section 115, generallyin the top quadrant outlet channel member passageway 300, by adjustingthe opening of the top quadrant distribution panel passageway 250. Flowof the heat exchange medium through the top quadrant distribution panelpassageway 250 may be increased by enlarging the spatial separationbetween the top face medium directing distribution panel 225 and theinterior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, permittingincreased flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The oppositeeffect to the heat exchange medium flow may be achieved by decreasingthe spatial separation between the top face medium directingdistribution panel 225 and the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245, thereby decreasing the flow of the heat exchangemedium therebetween (See FIG. 17).

The medium directing distribution panel 155, similarly have means toeasily adjust the flow of the heat exchange medium from the anteriorbottom section of the chamber section 115, generally in the bottomquadrant inlet channel member passageway 280, to the bottom quadrantposterior portion of the chamber section 115 by adjusting the opening ofthe bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255. Flow of the heatexchange medium through the bottom quadrant distribution panelpassageway 255 may be increased by enlarging the spatial separationbetween the bottom quadrant distribution panel passageway 255 and theinterior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245, permittingincreased flow of the heat exchange medium therebetween. The oppositeeffect to the heat exchange medium flow may be achieved by decreasingthe spatial separation between the bottom quadrant distribution panelpassageway 255 and the interior surface of the chamber section lateralwall 245.

The medium directing distribution panel 155 further provides for meansto adjust the flow of the heat exchange medium through the top quadrantdistribution panel passageway 250 and the bottom quadrant distributionpanel passageway 255, by having the ability to alter the flowdistribution by means of adjusting the openings of the left quadrantdistribution panel passageway 260 and the right quadrant distributionpanel passageway 265. The left quadrant distribution panel passageway260 is provided between the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215 and the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245. The flow through the left quadrant distribution panelpassageway 260 may be increased by enlarging the spatial separationbetween the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 andthe interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. Theopposite effect may be achieved by decreasing the spatial separationbetween the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215 andthe interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 (See FIGS.16 and 18).

The right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265 is provided betweenthe second side face medium directing distribution panel 220 and theinterior surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245. The flowthrough the right quadrant distribution panel passageway 265 may beincreased by enlarging the spatial separation between the second sideface medium distribution panel 220 and the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall 245. The opposite effect may be achieved bydecreasing the spatial separation between the second side face mediumdistribution panel 220 and the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 (See FIGS. 16 and 18).

The medium directing distribution panel 155 by means of adjusting theshape and configuration of the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215, the second side face medium directingdistribution panel 220, the top face medium directing distribution panel225, and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230, permitinfinite adjustment of the spatial separation between the respectivesurfaces and the interior surface of the chamber section lateral wall245, thereby allowing for precise adjustment of the heat exchange mediumflow characteristics within the chamber section 115, in an easy, costeffective manner (see FIGS. 16, 17 and 18). The medium directingdistribution panel 155 easily allows for means to adjust the flow of theheat exchange medium within the chamber section 115, while alsomaintaining ease of manufacturability, in a simple yet effective manner.Regardless of the type of heat exchange medium utilized in the heatexchanger 100, whether it be gas, liquid, or a combination of two ormore types of heat exchange mediums with various flow characteristics aswell as viscosity, the present invention allows for means to effectivelydirect the flow of the heat exchange medium within the chamber section115 to fully utilize the heat transfer surface provided by the chambersection 115, enhancing the overall performance of the heat exchanger100.

Referring now to FIG. 22, in an embodiment of the present invention, thesurface of the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215facing towards the internal surface of the chamber section lateral wall245 may have a convex face. The arc of the convex face of the first sideface medium directing distribution panel 215 generally face internalcircumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245 equal to arclength of 90 degrees shown as 2A in FIG. 22. In other embodiment of thepresent invention, the surface of the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215 may face greater than 10 degrees but equal to orless than 170 degrees of the internal circumference of the chambersection lateral wall 245. In yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, surface of a first side face medium directing distributionpanel 215A facing towards the internal surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 may have generally a planar surface as shown in anembodiment of a medium directing distribution panel 155A (See FIG. 23).In such an embodiment of the present invention, the chord generallyestablished by the planar face of the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215A with respect to the internal circumference ofthe chamber section lateral wall 245 may be equal to arc length ofgreater than 10 degrees but less than 170 degrees of the internalcircumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245, shown as 7A inFIG. 23.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the secondside face medium directing distribution panel 220 facing towards theinternal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may have aconvex face. The arc of the convex face of the second side face mediumdirecting distribution panel 220 generally face internal circumferenceof the chamber section lateral wall 245 equal to arc length of 90degrees shown as 3A in FIG. 22. In other embodiment of the presentinvention, the surface of the second side face medium directingdistribution panel 220 may face greater than 10 degrees but equal to orless than 170 degrees of the internal circumference of the chambersection lateral wall 245. In yet another embodiment of the presentinvention, surface of a second side face medium directing distributionpanel 220A facing towards the internal surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 may have generally a planar surface as shown in anembodiment of the medium distribution panel 155A (See FIG. 23). In suchan embodiment of the present invention, the chord generally establishedby the planar face of the second side face medium directing distributionpanel 220A with respect to the internal circumference of the chambersection lateral wall 245 may be equal to arc length of greater than 10degrees but less than 170 degrees of the internal circumference of thechamber section lateral wall 245 shown as 8A in FIG. 23.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the top facemedium directing distribution panel 225 facing towards the internalsurface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may have a convex face.The arc of the convex face of the top face medium directing distributionpanel 225 generally face internal circumference of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245 equal to arc length of 90 degrees shown as 1A in FIG.22. In other embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the topface medium directing distribution panel 225 may face greater than 10degrees but equal to or less than 170 degrees of the internalcircumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245. In yet anotherembodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of a top facemedium directing distribution panel 225A facing towards the internalsurface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may have generally aplanar surface as shown in an embodiment of the medium distributionpanel 155A in FIG. 23. In such an embodiment of the present invention,the chord generally established by the planar face of the top facemedium directing distribution panel 225A with respect to the internalcircumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may be equal toarc length of greater than 10 degrees but less than 170 degrees of theinternal circumference of the chamber section lateral wall 245 shown as6A in FIG. 23.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of thebottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 facing towards theinternal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may have aconvex face. The arc of the convex face of the bottom face mediumdirecting distribution panel 230 generally face internal circumferenceof the chamber section lateral wall 245 equal to arc length of 90degrees, shown as 4A in FIG. 22. In other embodiment of the presentinvention, the surface of the bottom face medium directing distributionpanel 230 may face greater than 10 degrees but equal to or less than 170degrees of the internal circumference of the chamber section lateralwall 245. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, surface ofa bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230A facing theinternal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245 may havegenerally a planar surface, shown in the embodiment of the mediumdirecting distribution panel 155A (See FIG. 23). In such an embodimentof the present invention, the chord generally established by the planarface of the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230A withrespect to the internal circumference of the chamber section lateralwall 245 may be equal to arc length of greater than 10 degrees but lessthan 170 degrees of the internal circumference of the chamber sectionlateral wall 245, shown as 9A in FIG. 23.

The combined outward facing surface of the medium directing distributionpanel 155 towards the interior surface of the chamber section lateralwall 245 comprising the first side face medium directing distributionpanel 215, the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220,the top face medium directing distribution panel 225, and the bottomface medium directing distribution panel 230 may face the fullcircumference of the internal surface of the chamber section lateralwall 245. In other embodiments of the present invention, the combinedoutward facing surface of the medium directing distribution panel 155comprising the first side face medium directing distribution panel 215,the second side face medium directing distribution panel 220, the topface medium directing distribution panel 225, and the bottom face mediumdirecting distribution panel 230 may not face the full circumference ofthe internal surface of the chamber section lateral wall 245.Longitudinal surface length of the first side face medium directingdistribution panel 215, the second side face medium directingdistribution panel 220, the top face medium directing distribution panel225, and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel 230 may besimilar in length. In other embodiment of the present invention, thelongitudinal length of one or more panels may be longer or shorter thanthe other panels.

The heat exchanger 100 may comprise the inlet tube 110, the chambersection 115, the outlet tube 120, and the medium directing memberassembly 145 disposed within the chamber section 115. In otherembodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heat exchangers 100as described herein may be coupled together in a serial or a parallelfashion to form a larger heat exchanger assembly. As such, the heatexchange medium flow pattern described herein may be repeated severaltimes dependent upon the number of the inlet tubes 110, the chambersections 115, the outlet tubes 120, and the medium directing memberassemblies 145 packaged within an embodiment of a heat exchangerassembly.

The heat exchange medium flow paths established by the inlet tube 110,the outlet tube 120, and the chamber section 115, as well as the surfacefeatures of the medium directing member assembly 145 may feature surfaceenhancements, such as, but not limited to, dimples, fins, louvers, thatis known in the art to enhance heat transfer effectiveness in a heatexchanger application.

The heat exchanger 100 may comprise of ferrous or non-ferrous material.The material may be an alloy, plastics, composites, or other materialsuitable for use as a heat exchanger known in the art. In otherembodiments of the present invention, more than one type of material maybe combined to construct the heat exchanger 100, such as with use of analuminum alloy along with composite material, for example.

The inlet tube 110, the outlet tube 120, and the chamber section 115 aswell as the medium directing member assembly 145 may be manufactured bystamping, cold forging, machining, casting, 3-D printing, or by othermanufacturing methods known in the art. The inlet tube 110, the outlettube 120, and the chamber section 115 of the heat exchanger 100 may bemanufactured as one piece or may be manufactured as separate pieces. Themedium directing member assembly 145 may be manufactured as one piece ormay comprise as an assembly of two or more components. The heatexchanger 100 may be coupled together by means of brazing, soldering,welding, mechanical means, or adhesive means known in the art.

The heat exchanger 100 may be utilized as a cooler, a condenser, anevaporator, a radiator, or any other application requiring heat to betransferred from one heat exchange medium to another heat exchangemedium. The heat exchange medium may be air, liquid, or gas, known inthe art. The heat exchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger 100may be the same as the heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heatexchanger 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the heatexchange medium flowing within the heat exchanger 100 may be differentfrom the heat exchange medium flowing outside of the heat exchanger 100.In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat exchange medium maybe a compound, combining more than one type of heat exchange mediumknown in the art. In yet another embodiment of the present invention,the heat exchange medium may by combined with more than one type ofmaterial, such as with air and silica solids to obtain additionaldesired features, for example.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger having an inlet tube, an outlettube, and a chamber section, the chamber section comprising: a chambersection anterior wall and a chamber section posterior wall,longitudinally spaced apart, joined concentrically together by a chambersection lateral wall; and a medium directing member assembly comprisingan inlet channel member, an outlet channel member, and a mediumdistribution panel disposed within, wherein the inlet channel member,comprising an inlet bottom wall, an inlet first side wall, and an inletsecond side wall, having the inlet first side wall coupled to a firstlateral side of the inlet bottom wall, extending vertically upwardlyaway from the inlet bottom wall, while having the inlet second side wallcoupled to a second lateral side of the inlet bottom wall, extendingvertically upwardly away from the inlet bottom wall, forming a fluidpassageway therein, the outlet channel member, comprising an outlet topwall, an outlet first side wall, and an outlet second side wall, havingthe outlet first side wall coupled to a first lateral side of the outlettop wall, extending vertically downwardly away from the outlet top wall,while having the outlet second side wall coupled to a second lateralside of the outlet top wall, extending vertically downwardly away fromthe outlet top wall, forming a fluid passageway therein, longitudinallydisposed between the inlet channel member and the outlet channel memberis the medium directing distribution panel, having an inlet face facingtowards the inlet tube, having an angled planar face with respect to thelongitudinal axial characteristics established by the inlet channelmember, while having an outlet face facing towards the outlet tube,having an angled planar face with respect to the longitudinal axialcharacteristics established by the outlet channel member, the inletchannel member longitudinally disposed within the chamber sectioninterior, positioned spaced apart from the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall, a first free end of the inlet channelmember coupled to the chamber anterior wall, while having a second freeend of the inlet channel member coupled to the inlet face of the mediumdistribution panel, the outlet channel member longitudinally disposedwithin the chamber section interior, positioned spaced apart from theinterior surface of the chamber section lateral wall, a first free endof the outlet channel member coupled to an outlet face of the mediumdistribution panel, while having a second free end of the outlet channelmember coupled to the chamber section posterior wall, and the mediumdistribution panel positioned to obstruct flow of the heat exchangemedium flowing within the inlet channel member to the outlet tube,disposed free from contact from the chamber section lateral wall.
 2. Theheat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the medium directing distributionpanel having two lateral surfaces comprising a first side face mediumdirecting distribution panel and a second side face medium directingdistribution panel facing towards the interior surface of the chambersection lateral wall, while having two vertical surfaces comprising atop face medium directing distribution panel and a bottom face mediumdirecting distribution panel facing towards the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall, wherein the first side face mediumdirecting distribution panel, the second side face medium directingdistribution panel, the top face medium directing distribution panel,and the bottom face medium directing distribution panel outward facingsurfaces are positioned spaced apart from the interior surface of thechamber section lateral wall.
 3. The heat exchanger according to claim2, wherein the outer surface of the first side face medium directingdistribution panel facing the interior surface of the chamber sectionlateral wall is above a plane established by the outer surface of theinlet first side wall, the outer surface of the second side face mediumdirecting distribution panel facing the interior surface of the chambersection lateral wall is above a plane established by the outer surfaceof the inlet second side wall, the outer surface of the top face mediumdirecting distribution panel extend above the leading vertical edge ofthe inlet first side wall and the inlet second side wall, and the outersurface of the bottom face medium directing distribution panel extendaway from a plane established by the inlet bottom wall.
 4. The heatexchanger of claim 1, wherein a pair of semi-circular divergent heatexchange medium flow forward of the medium distribution panel axiallycentered around the inlet channel member, having a separate andindependent pair of semi-circular divergent heat exchange medium flowrearward of the medium distribution panel axially centered around theoutlet channel member.
 5. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein aplurality of the heat exchangers are coupled together in a serial mannerto form a larger heat exchanger assembly.
 6. The heat exchanger of claim1, wherein a plurality of the heat exchangers are coupled together in aparallel fashion to form a larger heat exchanger assembly.
 7. A heatexchanger comprising: a chamber section; and a medium directing memberassembly disposed within the chamber section, wherein the chambersection having a cylindrical body having a chamber section anterior wallterminating the first end of the cylindrical body, while having achamber section posterior wall terminating the second end of thecylindrical body, the chamber section provided with an inlet tube tofacilitate means to introduce a heat exchange medium into the heatexchanger, the chamber section provided with an outlet tube tofacilitate means to discharge the heat exchange medium out of the heatexchanger, the medium directing member assembly comprising the inletchannel member, the outlet channel member, and the medium distributionpanel longitudinally disposed between the inlet channel member and theoutlet channel member, the inlet channel member, comprising an inletbottom wall, an inlet first side wall, and an inlet second side wall,having the inlet first side wall coupled to a first lateral side of theinlet bottom wall, extending vertically upwardly away from the inletbottom wall, while having the inlet second side wall coupled to a secondlateral side of the inlet bottom wall, extending vertically upwardlyaway from the inlet bottom wall, forming a fluid passageway therein, theoutlet channel member, comprising an outlet top wall, an outlet firstside wall, and an outlet second side wall, having the outlet first sidewall coupled to a first lateral side of the outlet top wall, extendingvertically downwardly away from the outlet top wall, while having theoutlet second side wall coupled to a second lateral side of the outlettop wall, extending vertically downwardly away from the outlet top wall,forming a fluid passageway therein, the medium distribution panel havinga top vertical face, spaced apart from the chamber section interiorwall, facing greater than 10 degrees but equal to or less than 170degrees of the internal circumference of the chamber section, the mediumdistribution panel having a bottom vertical face, spaced apart from thechamber section interior wall, facing greater than 10 degrees but equalto or less than 170 degrees of the internal circumference of the chambersection, the medium distribution panel having a first lateral face,spaced apart from the chamber section interior wall, facing greater than10 degrees but equal to or less than 170 degrees of the internalcircumference of the chamber section, and the medium distribution panelhaving a second lateral face, spaced apart from the chamber sectioninterior wall, facing greater than 10 degrees but equal to or less than170 degrees of the internal circumference of the chamber section.
 8. Theheat exchanger of claim 7, wherein the medium distribution panelcomprise two vertical surfaces and two lateral surfaces, along with aforward facing inlet face planar body and a rearward facing outlet faceplanar body.
 9. The heat exchanger of claim 7, wherein a plurality ofthe heat exchangers are coupled together in a serial manner to form alarger heat exchanger assembly.
 10. The heat exchanger of claim 7,wherein a plurality of the heat exchangers are coupled together in aserial manner to form a larger heat exchanger assembly.
 11. The heatexchanger of claim 7, wherein a pair of semi-circular divergent heatexchange medium flow forward of the medium distribution panel axiallycentered around the inlet channel member, having a separate andindependent pair of semi-circular divergent heat exchange medium flowrearward of the medium distribution panel axially centered around theoutlet channel member.